Reclassification at Chelsea College of Art & Design Library

Abstract

This article examines some of the problems associated with the initial classification and subsequent reclassification of a specialist Fine Art library. The Library at the then Chelsea School of Art was established in the early 1960s. It was unusual, ‘being predominantly a fine art (painting and sculpture) institution, with lesser responsibilities in design.’ Most ‘off the peg’ classification schemes do not incorporate enough flexibility for the detail required by such a specific collection, but do include large sections devoted to design subjects which were unnecessary at the time. It was decided, therefore, to create a bespoke scheme for the Chelsea collection, and this was adapted several times over the years to fit in with the changing landscape of art history and art education. In January 2005, Chelsea College of Art & Design relocated to a new unified site on Millbank, merging the three very specialised libraries: Manresa Road (Fine Art), Hugon Road (Interior and Spatial Design, Graphics and Illustration) and Lime Grove (Textiles and Public Art). One of the major challenges of this relocation was to bring all the collections together under one classification scheme.